WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford volleyball team has signed five players to the 2022 roster, head coach Vinh Nguyen announced on Friday. The Hawks inked Kylee Connally (Dallas, Texas), Giovanna Gonzalez (Shelton, Conn.), Sydney Luchs (Encino, Calif.), Juliana Robinshaw (South Windsor, Conn.) and Fabienne Rutten (Bovenkarspel, Netherlands), who will join the program for the 2022 season.

"We are really excited about our in-coming 2022 class," said Vinh. "This new class brings a lot of ball-control, offense and setting that will enhance our returning roster. Their diversity includes international experience as well as a Gold Medal in the "Open" division at the USA Junior Olympics. We are looking forward to them getting in the gym and getting after it." 

Kylee Connally
5-4 • Setter • Dallas, Texas. • Bishop Lynch High School
As well shining in volleyball, Connally starred in both golf and rowing at Bishop Lynch High School. Connally would earn a fourth-place finish at the district championships as a senior, as well as leading her team to a runners-up finish at the regional rowing competition. At the club level, she helped lead the MadFrog Volleyball club to a second-place finish at the Northeast Qualifier, earning Player of the Game honors.
 
Coach Nguyen on Connally:
"Kylee is a very quick and dynamic setter. She covers a lot of court on defense and runs a fast tempo offense. Kylee consistently locates her sets and has a high setting IQ. She is a fierce competitor, and we look forward to her setting our offense."
 
Giovanna Gonzalez
5-9 • Setter/Outside Hitter • Shelton Conn. • Shelton High School
A team captain her senior season, Gonzalez was a part of an undefeated season her sophomore year and helped guide Shelton High School to an appearance in the SCC championship game her junior season. As a freshman, she took home best defensive player honors. As well as being a star on the court, Gonzalez shined in the classroom as a member of the National Honors Society. In addition to volleyball, Gonzalez was a four-year member of the track and field team, throwing the javelin.
 
Coach Nguyen on Gonzalez:
"Giovanna Gonzalez is a product of Shelton High School in Connecticut and was captain of her team. She also has club experience in the Northeast and will add depth to our setting position. Giovanna is a hard worker and is a very motivated volleyball player. We look forward to her setting at Hartford."
 
Sydney Luchs
6-3 • Middle Blocker • Encino, Calif. • Calabasas High School
After starting her high school career at William Howard Taft Charter High School, she spent her junior and senior seasons at Calabasas High School. Luchs capped off her high school career with an outstanding senior campaign, tallying 76 blocks and 140 kills to earn All-Conference and MVP accolades. At the club level, she helped lead the Sunshine Westside team to a silver medal at the 2021 Winter National Championships, and a gold medal at the 2022 Salt Lake City Showdown and National Championships.
 
Coach Nguyen on Luchs:
"Sydney is a very powerful and versatile player that plays middle and right side. She has a high volleyball IQ and has competed at a very high level at club. Her Sunshine Westside team took first place and won the gold medal at the USA Junior Olympics this past summer. We are looking forward to Sydney making an immediate impact."
 
Juliana Robinshaw
5-9 • Defensive Specialist/Libero • South Windsor, Conn. • South Windsor High School
A team captain as a senior, Robinshaw guided South Windsor High School to four straight winning seasons during her career, including an impressive 11-2 mark in her junior year. In her senior season, she lifted the Bobcats to a 17-6 record, earning All-Conference accolades.  Off the court, Robinshaw was equally outstanding, earning Athletic Honors recognition all four years.
 
Coach Nguyen on Robinshaw:
"Juliana has honed her volleyball skills at South Windsor High School and Husky volleyball club that are both great programs. Her strengths are in her ball control, specifically serve receive. She is a very competitive player but has a confident and calm demeanor. She will make an impact on our teams ball control."
 
Fabienne Rutten
5-5 • Defensive Specialist/Libero • Bovenkarspel, Netherlands • Hogeschool van Amsterdam
Rutten joins the Hawks from the Netherlands and has extensive experience with the Dutch Youth National Teams. Rutten was selected for the Regional Talent Team from U14 until U16 age
Category, and was team captain of the Final Four International Youth Tournament Team in 2017-18. In the 2018-2019 season, she served as team captain at the Poland International Youth Tournament, earning MVP honors.

Coach Nguyen on Rutten:
"Fabienne is a very quick and competitive libero from Holland. She covers a lot of court on defense and does a great job on serve receive. She will add depth to our ball control and we expect her to make an immediate impact in that role." For more information on the Hartford volleyball team, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram)